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Sexton, Scarfo familiar faces to some Penguins

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WILKES-BARRE — Ben Sexton and Ryan Scarfo had yet to arrive in Northeast Pennsylvania on Thursday, but that doesn’t mean the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are unfamiliar with the new trade acquisitions.

Their former college teammates know exactly what they bring.

Forwards Jarrett Burton and Troy Josephs played with Sexton at Clarkson University, while defenseman Jeff Taylor knows Scarfo from their time at Union College. Before they welcome the pair — along with defenseman Macoy Erkamps — at the Toyota SportsPlex, Burton and Taylor talked about the skills and intangibles they’ll bring to the Penguins.

“(Sexton) is really excited to get down here and get going,” said Burton, who talked to the 27-year-old on the phone after the trade was approved. “He’s a consummate leader. He was a leader for us when I was at school, he was always our captain. Just a guy that other players look up to.”

Burton described Sexton as a hard-nosed, versatile player that can contribute in a variety of other ways. That includes killing penalties, which has been the Penguins’ undoing at different points during the season. He also has a good shot, Burton said.

Scarfo, a forward, had his best season at Union after Taylor left, recording 36 points in 2017-18. However, Taylor said he has shown scoring ability and could easily fit in with the team’s blue-collar approach.

“He’s pretty north-south, a hard worker,” Taylor said. “He’s got really good legs and a really, really good shot. If he gets a chance here, he’ll really thrive in this league.”

Head coach Clark Donatelli said Sexton and Erkamps aren’t likely to arrive until next week because of immigration procedures, which means they should be unavailable for the team’s three-in-three set. Scarfo, meanwhile, could make it to town during the weekend.

Sexton gives Wilkes-Barre/Scranton a more experienced option to help fill out its forward lineup.

Another important aspect of Wednesday’s trade, which cost the Penguins Tobias Lindberg and Stefan Elliott, is that it helps ease their surplus of veterans. Sexton doesn’t qualify as an AHL veteran in terms of games played, so Elliott’s departure gives them more flexibility to be within the league limit.

“That’s the game, right?” Donatelli said. “We wish those guys the best of luck, and they’re going to a good spot. It just is what it is.”

Contact the writer:

tpiccotti@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2089;

@CVPiccotti on Twitter

Scouting report: Dec. 7-9

Opponent: Cleveland Monsters

When: 7:05 p.m. tonight

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena

Season series: The Penguins won the first two games in October in Cleveland.

About the Monsters: Cleveland sits second in the North Division at 12-8-3-0, but will soon be passed by the red-hot Syracuse Crunch. The team eased by Lehigh Valley, 5-1, on Wednesday thanks to a three-point night from Sonny Milano. He has a point in all but two of the 12 games he’s played this season. Veteran Jean-Francois Berube has gotten the lion’s share of starts in net and has won in four of his last six appearances. The team boasts a couple of Penguins connections, including forward Mark Letestu, defenseman Adam Clendening and goalie Brad Thiessen.

Opponent: Bridgeport Sound Tigers

When: 3:05 p.m. Saturday

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena

Season series: Bridgeport won the only previous matchup, 8-5, on Nov. 4.

About the Sound Tigers: Bridgeport has inserted itself into the playoff picture in a big way at 14-7-3-1. The team has a good group of defensemen with Devon Toews, Sebastian Aho and 2017-18 all-star Mitch Vande Sompel. With goaltender Chris Gibson recalled by the Islanders, veteran Jeremy Smith (7-4-1, 2.88 GAA) is a good bet to get the start in net. The Penguins will look to take advantage of the Bridgeport penalty kill; the last time they met, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton scored three times on the power play.

Opponent: Hershey Bears

When: 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Giant Center

Season series: Hershey was won three of the five matchups between the teams.

About the Bears: Hershey is behind only the Penguins in the Atlantic at 10-12-0-1. The team added a significant piece to its blue line this week, signing defenseman Ryan Sproul to a contract. He has played in 276 AHL games. The Bears scored four power-play goals in a win over Binghamton on Sunday, so Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will need to be ready on the penalty kill. The Penguins have owned Giant Center of late, with eight wins in their last 11 trips.

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